A Survey Assessment of Previously Uninvestigated Areas of the Proposed Darien Sewer System and Treatment Facility Darien, Georgia

An archaeological survey of portions of the Darien sewer system project was conducted by Water and Air Research, Inc. (WAR) in order to locate potentially significant cultural resources and define historically archaeologically sensitive areas prior to construction. The survey utilized a combination of power-assisted auger tests, shovel tests, and limited backhoe trenches to locate archaeological remains. The field methodology was supplemented by background research to define the cultural history and environmental variables for the area. Analysis combined the results of this research with field observations and studies of the recovered materials in order to define and assess sites. Although cultural materials were located throughout Darien, analysis of the field and artifact data resulted in identification of seven areas containing definable archaeological sites. Due to the limited nature of a right-of-way survey, the full extent of these sites has not been determined. Installation of the main sewer lines will adversely impact archaeological remains within the right-of-way due to the necessary site preparation and deep excavations required. While WAR recognizes that the sewer main project may not impact an entire site, extensive secondary impacts will occur during installation of individual service lines. Since these service lines are not eligible for federal or state funding, no archaeological work can be required. Therefore, additional studies conducted for the sewer system project are further justified by consideration of secondary impacts. Further studies may represent the only opportunity to salvage a sample of data from sites which are deemed significant and potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The possibility exists that the extensive and deep excavations for the sewer system will locate previously unidentified cultural resources. However, WAR believes that the survey project has located the majority of the potentially significant sites and provides a sufficient sample of the archaeological remains in Darien.